From rohrepe@earlham.edu Sun Sep 30 21:03:25 2001 Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2001 23:37:40 -0000 From: Pearl Rohrer Reply-To: rohrepe@bethanyseminary.edu To: spfldcob@efn.org Subject: your idea Dale, If you have been in touch with Barbara Date' (who forwarded this to me), I presume she has supplied you with the same things she has sent me, and perhaps more. Just incase, though, I will copy some of them below. I presume the purpose behand this project is to get things in one place so they are accessible to many, to build a "peace file," as it were. Does anyone in Elgin at the General Offices still coordinate peace files for purposes of Conscientious Objector use, etc.? I thought there was someone, but am not certain. Herewith, a few things I've found helpful. ================================================ I remind you of these words from Mahatma Gandhi: "When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it...; always." Love is stronger than hate. Love can prevail. ================================================= I Cor. 13:1-13, esp. 13 ~ "And now faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love." ==== Romans 12:19-21 ~ "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' No, 'if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doin this you will heap burning coals on their heads.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." ==== Luke 13:4-5 ~ What of those 18 who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them - do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did." Luke 15:7 ~ "Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-and-nine righteous persons who need not repent." ==== Psalm 51:17 ~ "The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." ================================================ Some have suggested "bombing" Afghanistan with butter - in effect, feeding the people who are suffering from drought, economic troubles, etc. While I would use language other than "bombing," such as "showering" or something more representative of loving action, I would support whatever means we could use to provide aid for the hungry in our own towns, and in nations suffering in part because of our and our nation's gluttony. Pearl ================================================ The following was sent to me by Barbara Date'; I believe it is time to look around and see what each culture, religious view, etc., has to offer; this is one example: William Commanda, an Algonquin Elder I met at a two day Race Relations conference in Ottawa. This is what he shared at a post Sept 11th Vigil in Washington, D.C. ^ÓA circle of all nations and A CULTURE OF PEACE^Ô The vision of NORTH AMERICAN indigenous elder William Commanda, Algonquin Keeper of the seven fires prophecy wampum belt. This difficult age we live in was foreseen by spiritual visionaries across the world. My ancestors warned us about the years of struggle that would lead us to a crossroad and to the choices we would be called upon to make at the turn of the century. This vision was inscribed in the sacred Seven Fires Prophecy Wampum Shell Belt in the late 1400s. The Seven Fires Prophecy holds a vision for a future where we HONOUR our relationship and responsibility to MOTHER EARTH AND all creation, celebrate our INDIVIDUAL GIFTS and diversity, and still RECOGNIZE and respect our place within a circle of all nations. The steps to this future are few: FIRST WE LOOK WITHIN, SO WE KNOW OURSELVES BEST. WE RECOGNIZE, ACKNOWLEDGE AND FORGIVE OURSELVES OUR SHORTCOMINGS AND ANY FAILURE TO ACHIEVE OUR BEST POTENTIAL. WE FORGIVE OTHERS FOR ANY HARDSHIP AND PAIN THEY MAY HAVE CAUSED US AND OUR COMMUNITIES; WE TRUST THAT THIS ENERGY WILL TRANSFORM THEM SPIRITUALLY. WE RECOGNIZE THAT OUR THOUGHTS, WORDS AND ACTIONS AFFECT OURSELVES, MOTHER EARTH AND ALL CREATION, AND WE EMBRACE PEACE MINDFULLY. WE LISTEN TO OUR MINDS BUT WE TRUST OUR HEARTS ABOVE ALL. This path will lead us to love, sharing, respect, responsibility, compassion, healing, justice and reconciliation. It is of crucial importance that the people of the world RESPOND IMMEDIATELY TO THE PLIGHT OF THE MANY OPPRESSED BY EXPLOITATION, SOCIAL INJUSTICE, RACISM* AND WAR; ANIMATE THE HUMAN CAPACITY FOR FORGIVENESS, COMPASSION, LOVE AND RECONCILIATION; AND CREATE A GLOBAL SYNERGY TO ENSURE THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE LIVES OF ALL. We shall then light the Eighth Fire together and we will become: ^ÓA CIRCLE OF ALL NATIONS AND A CULTURE OF PEACE^Ô *Pearl Rohrer adds to this list all the '-isms' - sexism, ageism, classism, etc. that are expressions and manifestations of a 'power-over' attitude and social structure. ============================================================== I believe we must all act in some way after prayerful consideration and personal soul-searching. Below is a letter to Canada's Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, which inspired the two that follow: September 14, 2001 The Right Honourable Jean Chretien Prime Minister of Canada Ottawa, Ontario Fax: 613-941-6900 The Honourable John Manley Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Government of Canada Fax: 613-995-1534 Dear Sirs: Like people all over the world, we are horrified by the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on September 11. No words can adequately describe the evil of these acts. We join with millions in praying for the victims and their families. Nevertheless, we have very deep concerns about the western response that seems to be forming. We refer to the possibility of major US military strikes and to the support that other countries, including Canada, might give to such actions. Even if it is eventually found that the individual perpetrators come from countries outside of North America, it is clear that these countries include millions of people of many faiths, who are as opposed to terrorism as we are. If all these people will be made to suffer because of the actions of a few, then the world will become less secure, not more secure. We believe that violence begets violence, and, while a military strike may serve to satisfy demands for swift and decisive action, it will likely invite more violence in the future. The search for security requires careful consideration. We believe that the best foundation for long term security is justice. Sadly, this is seriously lacking in contemporary international relations. We urge you and your colleagues to strengthen Canada's efforts to promote justice and mutual respect for all people. Sincerely, Donald Peters Executive Director =============================================== September 19, 2001 The Right Honourable Jean Chretien Prime Minister of Canada Ottawa, Ontario Fax: 613-941-6900 Dear Sir: As you are aware, the acts of a few often represent the mood of many. What mood was represented by the acts of September 11, 2001? Most likely, a vehement dislike for the arrogant pursuit of self-interest by the United States and perhaps other western nations carried out with little regard for the interests of others. Most likely those nations giving aid to the perpetrators of these acts are weary with being so grindlingly poor as a result of many of our actions that there is little option left but to engage the services of the likes of an Osama bin Laden to make a point. These are assumptions that should be checked out by talking with those involved. These are circumstances for which we must accept our portion of responsibility, and which we must alter, for our own interest as well as for the interest of others. The path we are now pursuing is one that can only lead to more and more violence, not less; to less and less understanding and opportunity for just resolution, not more; one which will engage not just the U.S., but all nations, in a virtual blood-bath in the name of national pride, stubborn refusal to change our ways of relating to others, and continuing selfish arrogance. It is not lost on some of us that the very ones who may have attacked us were trained by us to attack others for our purposes. We must learn that giving violence in any form only brings violence back to us; that giving acts of compassion brings compassionate acts back to us. It is ours to choose which it will be. We must learn that the cost of doing business by violence is extremely high, while compassionate and equitable business is more cost- effective over time. There is no way to ever guarantee that there will never again be violence. There is a way to keep it from escalating to such global proportions. That is the way of reconciliation, reparations, understanding, justice, and peace. Therefore, I urge you to use your power, resources, and influence to persuade our national leaders to choose this second path; that the better path in the long-run is the one of justice, understanding, reconciliation, and reparation for the damage we have done which has led people to take such desperate action. I urge you to impress upon our leaders the urgency of leading our nation and the world, not in rebuilding towers of costly arrogance, greed, separation, and indifference, but in creating a web of compassion, sharing, cooperation, and unity across boundaries we have been partially responsible for setting and maintaining. The Berlin wall fell; Russians express support for us after decades of aiming nuclear weapons at us. Unthinkable good can happen when we refrain from reacting, retaliating, and seeking vengeance, and instead act in good faith for the good of all those affected by our acts. Thank you for your efforts on behalf of the future generations of this world. Pearl Rohrer ==================== September 19, 2001 Mr. President: As you are aware, the acts of a few often represent the mood of many. What mood was represented by the acts of September 11, 2001? Most likely, a vehement dislike for the arrogant pursuit of self-interest by the United States and perhaps other western nations carried out with little regard for the interests of others. Most likely those nations giving aid to the perpetrators of these acts are weary with being so grindlingly poor as a result of many of our actions that there is little option left but to engage the services of the likes of an Osama bin Laden to make a point. These are assumptions that should be tested by talking with those involved. These are circumstances for which we must accept our portion of responsibility, and which we must alter, for our own interest as well as for the interest of others. The path we are now pursuing is one that can only lead to more and more violence, not less; to less and less understanding and opportunity for just resolution, not more; one which will engage not just the U.S., but all nations, in a virtual blood-bath in the name of national pride, stubborn refusal to change our ways of relating to others, and continuing selfish arrogance. It is not lost on some of us that the very ones who may have attacked us were trained by us to attack others for our purposes. We must learn that giving violence in any form only brings violence back to us; that giving acts of compassion brings compassionate acts back to us. It is ours to choose which it will be. We must learn that the cost of doing business by violence is extremely high, while compassionate and equitable business is more cost- effective over time. There is no way to ever guarantee that there will never again be violence. There is a way to keep it from escalating to such global proportions. That is the way of reconciliation, reparations, understanding, justice, and peace. Therefore, I urge you to use your power, resources, and influence to choose this second path; the path which in the long-run is the one of justice, understanding, reconciliation, and reparation for the damage we have done which has led people to take such desperate action. I would like to impress upon you the urgency of leading our nation and the world, not in rebuilding towers of costly arrogance, greed, separation, and indifference, but in creating a web of compassion, sharing, cooperation, and unity across boundaries we have been partially responsible for setting and maintaining. The Berlin wall fell; Russians express support for us after decades of aiming nuclear weapons at us. Unthinkable good can happen when we refrain from reacting, retaliating, and seeking vengeance, and instead act in good faith for the good of all those affected by our acts. Thank you for your efforts on behalf of the future generations of this world. In the Name of the Prince of Peace who showed us that Love endures and all else fails. Pearl Rohrer ============================================= With talk of reviving WWI/II war bonds and the playing of jingles from those eras as heard on NPR today (9-30-01), it seems we need to draw on voices not heard as loudly from those days, hence I submit the following: I found this tiny WWII-vintage book (1944) entitled, ^ÓThe Will of God,^Ô by Leslie D. Weatherhead on the table of give-aways at the church I am serving; my paraphrasing of the points made therein: Weatherhead says there is the "intentional will of God" -"God's ideal plan for men (sic thruout);" the only kind of God^Òs will to use this phrase in reference to is God's intentional will that all things be good, that people follow God's commands, laws, obey covenants, etc; it was God's intentional will that people FOLLOW Jesus, not kill him. Then there is "God's circumstantial will" - "God's plan within certain circumstances;" as in the case of the cross, it was man's use of God's gift of free will not to follow, not to heed, but to eliminate Jesus that created circumstances which left Jesus between a rock and a hard place: run for his life, or give up his life. "Not my will but thine be done" was Jesus' cry in the garden when God said the decision was to give it up. Finally, there is "God's ultimate will" - "God's final realization of God's purposes," that intentional will which will prevail no matter what; that is worked out, not in SPITE of, but THROUGH man's will which creates circumstances in which this becomes necessary for the good of all. While God's intentional will appears to be "defeated" (three days in the tomb) in cases of circumstantial will (choosing to give it up vs. run), there is always the ultimate realization of the intentional will (resurrection, people following Jesus posthumously/post-resurrection). ============================================ >From a book assigned in one of my classes at seminary this term; I had read this only a few days prior to 9-11-01; it points out how all the "power-over '-isms'" are equally damaging to the Way of Christ, love, etc.: Beverly Wildung Harrison writes, in her book, Making the Connections, chapter on "Keeping Faith in a Sexist Church" (p. 231): "...our hard word must be heard. Our vocation requires that we accept that God calls us to utter this blunt word, that it is given to the church for its deliverance. Only in this way can we be authentic bearers of 'the Way' to/of God." If we take license and apply her words to the world, if we enhance her words, it might read: "...God's hard word must be heard. Our vocation requires that we accept that God calls us to utter this blunt word, that it is given to the world for its deliverance. Only in this way can we be authentic bearers of 'the Way' to/of God." ============================================ Received from my sister, another sampling of other religious materials and eras: Subject: A Stage of Purgation >From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual Believer in reply to a letter dated October 14, 1931: Baha'i News, No. 58, January, 1932, p. 1 ..You seem to complain about the calamities that have befallen humanity. In the spiritual development of man a stage of purgation is indispensable, for it is while passing through it that the over-rated material needs are made to appear in their proper light. Unless society learns to attribute more importance to spiritual matters, it would never be fit to enter the golden era foretold by Baha'u'llah. The present calamities are parts of this process of purgation, through them alone will man learn his lesson. They are to teach the nations, that they have to view things internationally, they are to make the individual attribute more importance to his moral than his material welfare. ============================================== The stories of women's responses and faith in times of trial have traditionally not been heard; this illustrates a response from a Catholic nun of another era; I received the following from Barbara Date': Support from a wise and holy woman from the 14th century, whom we call Julian of Norwich. Julian knew the meaning of horror. She knew the horror of plague that killed a third of the people in England. But she also knew the horror that happens when anger, greed, and lust for power drive men (and yes they were all men) to slaughter others. And so I thought I^Òd share just a bit of my book on Julian ^Ö where she wonders how to respond to the terror that surrounded her. This was my description of how she responded to the Peasant^Òs Revolt of 1381. Alice is her maid. Alice returned running from the market only minutes after she had left. She raced inside her room and bolted the door. ^ÓMa^Òam! Ma^Òam! Terrible stuff is happenin^Ò all over town. The place is full of men from everywhere, and they have clubs and sticks and sometimes spears and swords, and they are yelling that they^Òre going to kill all the monks and all the gentry and they say they^Òre even going to kill the Bishop. And there^Òs fires burning somewhere ^Ñcause the whole sky is dark with smoke. I^Òm awful scared, ma^Òam!^Ô ^ÓOf course,^Ô said Julian. ^ÓSo am I. There was no priest in St. Julian^Òs this morning. For the first time since I came into this anchorhold, I was not able to hear the mass. Every morning I have meditated on the body and blood of Christ, and now^Å^Ô Julian^Òs lips moved as if to say more and confusion spread across her face. ^ÓWhat are we gonna do? I^Òm scared!^Ô ^ÓWell. Let me think.^Ô Julian walked around her cell, whispering the prayer, ^ÓLord, help me do the right thing.^Ô Then suddenly she turned back to Alice. ^ÓThere is something we must do now, Alice. We must both pray.^Ô ^ÓYou can pray, ma^Òam. God don^Òt listen to people like me.^Ô ^ÓThat^Òs not true, Alice. God listens to you just as much as God listens to me.^Ô ^ÓMa^Òam! You^Òre a holy woman. Everybody in the market says you are holy and wise, and that folks get good stuff told to ^Òem when they come to see you. That^Òs why they^Òve started calling you Mother Julian. You should hear the nice things they say about you. So you pray. . .^Ô ^ÓAlice! God loves you, just as much as anyone else. And when you pray, God pays as close attention as when I pray or anyone else who prays. A lot of the shouting and anger you hear out there is about greed and lust and power, but some of the people ^Ö do you remember Father John Ball who came to see us? Some people like him are fighting just because they are so sure God loves everyone the same, and so they should be treated the same. John Ball and others are willing to die for it.^Ô ^ÓBut ma^Òam. I ain^Òt nothing but a foundling and a whore.^Ô ^ÓAlice!^Ô Julian barked so loudly she surprised even herself. ^ÓThe world is burning around us, and you and I need to do something right now. You don^Òt have to believe God hears your prayers when all this is over. But for now, you^Òve got to believe it. God hears your prayers and honors the love you have in year heart. I have never given you a flat order before, but I am ordering you right now, Alice. Until this trouble is over, you are to think of yourself as being just as precious to God as anyone else in the world. And you are to pray as if God hears you. Do you understand?^Ô ^ÓYes, ma^Òam.^Ô ^ÓYou and I are going to pray, like we^Òve never prayed before. All we^Òre going to say is, ^ÑThy will be done, Lord.^Ò Just those words. Over and over. But in-between time, we^Òre going to think of all the people we know, the ones we love and the ones we hate. We^Òre going to say their names out loud, and we^Òre going to think of all the people we don^Òt know and we^Òre going to hold them in our hearts, and then say, ^ÑThy will be done, Lord.^Ò And we will fast, Alice, partly because there isn^Òt much to eat here anyway, and partly because it will help us concentrate on our prayers. Don^Òt look so horrified. We^Òll survive. We will drink what ale we have, and then we will drink water, and we^Òll have a little barley gruel each day. But other than that, we will not eat. And Alice. . .^Ô ^ÓYes, ma^Òam? ^ÓThis is probably the most important thing you and I have ever done in our lives.^Ô ======================================================== Excerpts from a sharing and prayer service from a person in Eugene, OR whose people of faith had received death threats in the wake of 9-11-01; sent to me by Barbara Date': "People of Oregon, thank you for your outpouring of support. I am an immigrant. Your love taught me what it means to be an American. .... ...Abraham Lincoln, your assissin failed. Slavery is dead. Martin Luther King, Jr., your assassins failed. Your dream is coming true. John F. Kennedy, your assassins failed. Your death did not make us warmongers and haters. It made us love each other and other nations and cultures. The Berlin Wall has come down, and we are now all Berliners. Robert Kennedy, your assissin failed. Civil liberties were enforced. Malcom X, your assassins failed. All African-American Muslims, including Louis Farakkan have abandoned racism and rejoined mainstream Muslims. John Lennon, your assassin failed. We can now imagine. We love each other as if there are no [divisive] countries and ..religions, too, and yes, all we need is love. Anwar Sadat, your assassins failed. Egypt and Israel are at peace. Yitzak Rabin, your assassins failed. Isralies and Palestinians are determined to make peace. Brothers and sisters in New York, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania, your assassins failed. We will not make war for your sake, but we will make peace. We will not hate each other for your sake. We will love each other more than before. Your death will not create ignorance and prejudice, but enlightenment and unity....." Tammam Adi, Islamic Cultural Center, Eugene Oregon (They have received death threats in the wake of September 11th events). Excerpt from his sharing and prayer at the Two Rivers Interfaith Ministries Worship service of Prayers and Remembrance, Friday noon, September 14, 2001 I would add: Jesus, they failed. We strive to follow your call to "Love Thy Neighbor" and "Love Thine "enemies'" Mahatma Gandhi, they failed. We can learn to relate to one another and solve problems nonviolently. Your words encourage us today: ^ÓWhen I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it...; always." Love is stronger than hate. The power of love is stronger than the love of power. Love one another. May God's Peace surround and uplift you, Barbara And I add: People of all countries and times who have died as a result of injustice, greed, hate, misunderstanding, ignorance, apathy, political agendas, religious fervor, desperation, self-centeredness, and any number of other human faults and failings, you have not died in vain, for we are learning, ever more quickly, just what a small community this globe is, how very valuable every single person and creature on it is to the well-being of any one of us, and how important our words and actions are to the well-being of the future of us all. May we all turn to the best of our faiths and humanness and embrace each other in love and live together in true peace. Pearl Rohrer =========================================================================== Excerpt from a piece from Barbara Date': I saw a sign today that read: "Save the world ^Ö Love someone." With all the terror going on right now, it is scary to think of what might come next, what sort of retaliatory measures our government might take. But we now have an extraordinary opportunity to show the world that we will not stand for violence. Now is a time for love and compassion, not revenge and more killings. President Bush has the power and responsibility to respond to the attacks against our country. A violent response - attacks against other countries or groups - will not accomplish anything, but will only continue this unending cycle of violence. Justice must be served, but not at the cost of more innocent lives around the world. Before it is too late, let's show the world that peace is an alternative. --Peter Abrahams =========================================== My sister sent me this story about my neice. I share it with you to illustrate how our children are affected, how they can find such creative ways of expressing their feelings, and to say we must find ways to use their energies positively in this time. -- Pearl I want to share a little vignette with you: Tuesday (9/11) Rex and Chloe watched the news with us when Larry got home. After a while, Chloe asked if she could bake a cake, so I said yes. As we watched the unbelievable horror on our TV, I could hear Chloe banging pans, mixing and washing dishes. While the cake was baking and cooling, she sat with us, watching the unfolding story. Soon she was up again, and I could hear dishes and utensils being rattled and banged as she frosted the cake. In my stupor, I was too fixated on the news to go to her assistance, though she asked for none. Chloe finished her cake just in time for bed. As we were rising from the sofa and turning off the TV, Chloe presented her cake to us. She had turned her horror and grief into a heartrending expression of the grief felt by all those connected with the people injured or killed in the day's tragedies. The background icing on the heart-shaped cake was gray and brown, like the smoke and debris. At first I thought it was just a jumble of colors, but as I looked closer, the face of a girl became clear. Her blond hair was dirty and ash-filled. Her down-turned mouth and blue teardrops conveyed the feelings of pain and grief that Chloe was feeling over the horrible events of the day. May God bless the children. May He give us wisdom to guide our feet in the path of His peace, so that the world they inherit is filled with love. Chloe had watched over a butterfly larva, caring for it with new milkweed leaves every day until it formed its chrysalis. On Wed., Sept. 12, that butterfly emerged exactly 24 hours after the first plane hit the WTC. Pearl, what was that Bible verse you quoted on the phone yesterday? It made me think of Abdul'Baha's instruction: "I charge you all that each one of you concentrate all the thoughts of your heart on love and unity. When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love." Well those are my watchwords for this month - and beyond! Love and peace to you, Naomi ======================================